Work in ProgressTHE ROSENWALD SCHOOLSUSA, documentaryEnglishDirector: Aviva KempnerEarly in the 20th Century, philanthropist Julius Rosenwald partnered with Booker T. Washington to build 5,300 schools for rural African American communities in the South at a time when few African Americans received any public education. Born in Springfield, Illinois, Rosenwald was the son of German Jewish immigrants who rose to become one of the wealthiest men in America as the head of Sears Roebuck and Company. Influenced by the social reform gospel espoused by Rabbi Emil Hirsch of Chicago’s Sinai Congregation, Rosenwald used his great wealth and talent for leadership as he tried to fix what he viewed was wrong with the society, truly living the ideals of tikkun olam, repairing the world.

Join award-winning director Aviva Kempner as she presents an excerpt of the work-in-progress for her latest project and a lively discussion about the film's topic as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.

DISCUSSION WITH Director, Aviva Kempner; Stephanie Deutsch, Author of You Need a Schoolhouse, and Kinshasha Holman Conwill, Deputy Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture

PRESENTED AS PART OF the 2011 Visionary Award Retrospective

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